France, its temperate climate, its fertile soils… You could grow almost anything there.
Except that this is not or no longer quite the case.
Fruits and vegetables
The tomatoes in our salads with or without mozzarella are widely imported from Morocco or Spain, especially out of season.
“One of the main problems is the lack of diversity in our food,” insists Suzanne Dalle, of Greenpeace.
By always eating the same thing, the quality is reduced.
However, one of the principles of agronomy is that the cultures must be varied.
And the pleasures.
In fact, 40% of the vegetables we consume in France are imported and 60% of fruits, according to the Interprofession des fruits et vegetables frais (Interfel), against 28% and 43% respectively in 2000.
FOOD CHECKING.
Are organic tomatoes always green?
The surface area of orchards has shrunk by 40% in 20 years between 2010 and 2019. “What is killing French farmers is the fierce competition between European countries when there is no social harmonization.
However, the new Agricultural Policy (CAP) that Europe is preparing seems less and less common, ”denounces Arnaud Gauffier of WWF.
Meat
One in two chicken consumed in France is imported.
In collective catering, it is imported in three quarters of cases, according to the Anvol poultry industry.
“Obviously, we serve it every day in all company canteens, denounces Arnaud Gauffier.
At this rate, it is impossible to produce quality chickens, raised outdoors for example.
Let's not talk about pork, where 90% of French production is already done in drums.
"Gallinaceae from Loué or Bresse must not hide the reality of tricolor production:" Cheap chickens, not sufficiently qualitative for the domestic market and exported in particular to Saudi Arabia ", points out Suzanne Dalle.
Read alsoSeasonal products, imports, factory farming, over-packaging: there is organic… and organic
A quarter of the pork we eat is imported.
That is 600,000 tonnes per year, mainly from Spain and Germany.
France is however a champion of the pig.
And we export more than we import, but… the surplus trade balance in volume is in deficit in value, because France brings in noble pieces and especially hams.
“A strategy for developing countries,” regrets Arnaud Gauffier.
Corn
More local but just as emblematic, buckwheat.
Brittany, undisputed champion of the buckwheat pancake, imports from China and Eastern countries, 70% of its major ingredient.
A shame.
#SaveThePresent
Four media are involved, Le Parisien-Today in France, France Culture, Science et Vie Junior and Usbek & Rica, four media different by their approach and readership, combine their strengths to talk about the environment. Each month, we deal with a subject decided jointly. Pollution near schools, the problem of illegal dumping, anti-hunting reserve… Find all of our articles and multimedia content on social networks with the hashtag #SauverLePresent.